Poshan Pakhwada 2025 (8th April to 23rd April)

Introduction of Poshan Abhiyaan

Every child deserves a healthy start, every mother deserves proper nourishment, and every family deserves access to nutritious food. Yet, for millions in India, malnutrition remains a silent crisis—one that affects not just individuals but the very future of the nation. Recognizing the need for transformative action, the Government of India launched Poshan Abhiyaan on March 8, 2018—a flagship program aimed at improving nutritional outcomes for women and children through a holistic, technology-driven, and community-based approach.

One of the most significant awareness initiatives under this mission is Poshan Pakhwada, a nationwide campaign that brings nutrition to the center of public discourse.

Official website: https://poshanabhiyaan.gov.in/

Vision and Objectives of Poshan Abhiyaan

The core objective of Poshan Abhiyaan is to ensure a Malnutrition-Free India by improving the nutritional status of children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. The key goals include:

• 🔹 Reduce stunting by 2% per annum
• 🔹 Reduce undernutrition by 2% per annum
• 🔹 Reduce anemia among children, women, and adolescent girls by 3% per annum
• 🔹 Reduce low birth weight by 2% per annum

These targets are pursued through a multi-sectoral strategy involving healthcare, sanitation, education, food, and technology.

What is Poshan Pakhwada?

7th Edition: Poshan Pakhwada 2025 (8th April to 23rd April)

Poshan Pakhwada is an annual fortnight-long celebration and awareness drive under the Poshan Abhiyaan. The 7th edition, being held from April 8 to April 23, 2025, emphasizes the critical importance of maternal and child nutrition, especially during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, which is vital for optimal growth and cognitive development.

Key Highlights of Poshan Pakhwada 2025:

• ✅ Theme Focus: “Nutrition in the First 1000 Days”
• ✅ Technology and Tradition: Use of the Poshan Tracker App for real-time monitoring and self-registration of beneficiaries.
• ✅ Community-Based Management of Malnutrition (CMAM): Focused on early detection and intervention for undernourished children.
• ✅ Addressing Childhood Obesity: Promotion of healthy lifestyle habits and nutritious food choices for children.
• ✅ Mass Community Engagement: All ministries, departments, and Anganwadi Centers actively conducting awareness campaigns.

Poshan Pakhwada 2025 Activities Include:

• 🟢 Sensitization on antenatal care, regular health check-ups, and proper nutrition
• 🟢 Community pledges to “Eat Healthy, Stay Active, Spread Awareness”
• 🟢 Emphasis on drinking 8 glasses of water daily
• 🟢 Promotion of balanced diets through local recipes and diet plans
• 🟢 Mass registration on the Poshan Tracker App for wider digital inclusion

Strategic Pillars of Poshan Abhiyaan

1. Convergence Across Ministries

The Abhiyaan brings together 18 ministries including Health, Women and Child Development, Panchayati Raj, Education, and Rural Development for a united nutrition-focused effort.

2. Technology-Enabled Monitoring

• The Poshan Tracker, launched in March 2021, enables real-time data collection and monitoring.
• As of February 2025:
  • 100% Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) are onboarded.
  • Over 9.8 crore beneficiaries are registered.
  • Anganwadi Workers use smartphones to deliver services effectively.

3. First 1,000 Days Focus

The first 1,000 days from conception to the child’s second birthday are crucial. Interventions include:

• Nutrition for pregnant/lactating women
• Timely immunizations
• Breastfeeding promotion
• Early introduction of complementary foods

4. Jan Andolan – The People’s Movement

From Poshan Maah to Poshan Pakhwada, the mission thrives on community participation. SHGs, NGOs, and Panchayats conduct activities to:

• Promote healthy diets
• Hold recipe competitions
• Spread awareness through wall paintings, rallies, and folk media

Progress and Achievements

• 🌐 Digital Coverage: All AWCs mapped and geo-tagged
• 📱 Technology Adoption: 1.38 million Anganwadi Workers using the app
• 📊 Data-Driven Insights: Dashboards for policy makers at national and state levels
• 👩‍⚕️ Frontline Capacity Building: Training and resource materials distributed widely
• 🧒 Improved Nutrition Outcomes: Stunting and wasting rates showing gradual decline (as per NFHS and POSHAN Tracker analytics)

Addressing Malnutrition through CMAM

The Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) protocol provides a framework for:

• Early screening and identification of Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) cases
• Home-based care with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF)
• Referral to healthcare centers for complicated cases

Future Outlook

The Government’s plan includes:

• 🔍 AI/ML integration in Poshan Tracker for predictive analytics
• 🌿 Deeper engagement with traditional Indian food systems and millets
• 🏥 Closer convergence with healthcare schemes like Ayushman Bharat
• 📚 School-based nutrition literacy programs
• 🌍 Scaling best practices across states for localized nutrition planning

Conclusion

Poshan Abhiyaan is not merely a government program—it’s a national mission that touches lives, empowers women, and secures the future of children. Through platforms like Poshan Pakhwada, the mission transforms nutrition awareness into action.

The 7th edition of Poshan Pakhwada in 2025 further strengthens the foundation of the movement by focusing on the first 1000 days, combating both malnutrition and obesity, and driving community ownership of health and nutrition.

India is on a steadfast path to becoming Kuposhan-Mukt Bharat—a nourished nation where every life has the opportunity to thrive.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2119796